Bookmark owner dies of heart failure

Bookmark owner Rodney Jones was more of a businessman than a bibliophile, the manager of his Halifax store said Friday of an entrepreneur who spent 40 years in the book industry.

Jones reportedly died of heart failure Monday in Charlottetown at the age of 66.

“It’s been sending shock waves through us all,” said Michael Hamm, who manages the Halifax store.

“We’re missing him terribly.”

Jones opened his first Bookmark in 1972 in Charlottetown.

“He had a store in Summerside for a bit, but that one didn’t work out,” Hamm said. “Then he established the Halifax store and we’ve been here since 1989.”

Jones, who lived on Prince Edward Island, saw opening a store in Halifax as a challenge, Hamm said.

“He was very energetic,” Hamm said. “He was curious. He loved challenges. He liked the ideas that are found between covers. He loved business. He would stay up late to see the stock exchange from Tokyo. He thrived on that. … Whenever I asked him what he was reading it was usually either a business book or history.”

Bookmark is the only general interest independent bookstore left in downtown Halifax.

Jones is survived by two daughters who live outside the country, Hamm said.

“I’m sure they’ll deal with these issues in good time. But for the time being, we’re just running as usual.”

Jones is remembered fondly by Bookmark staffers, many of whom plan to make the trip to Prince Edward Island on Monday to attend his memorial service.

“He was probably the best boss I ever worked for because he did trust us so much,” Hamm said. “His involvement could just be calling up asking if everybody and everything was all right and our sales were good. He was happy just with a phone call.”

Business is good at the Halifax Bookmark, Hamm said.

“We have incredible community support and our turnover is really, really great,” he said. “We’re definitely viable.”